Ivory Coast dissolves electoral commission after criticism

Written by Ziad Abdel Fattah:

The Ivorian government issued a decree on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, during its weekly cabinet meeting, dissolving the Independent Electoral Commission, as announced by the spokesperson. the governmentAmadou Coulibaly, the news came after the meeting, following repeated disagreements over the independence of the commission and its management of the elections.

Criticism leads to the dissolution of the Independent Electoral Commission

According to the Ivorian government, the solution comes in response to reservations and criticisms directed at the commission during the last election cycle.

Koulibaly said the move was aimed at paving the way For a new system To manage the elections and help restore public confidence in the electoral process, with the aim of ensuring “peaceful elections” in the country in the long term, and reassuring political actors and the Ivorian people.

He stated that discussions within the government will now determine the structure that will replace the Central Election Commission.

Significant shifts in the political landscape include Alassane Ouattara's victory for a fourth term.

Ivory Coast held its last presidential election in October 2015, when President Alassane Ouattara won a fourth term with nearly 90% of the vote after several prominent opposition figures were barred from running. This sparked criticism from the opposition and civil society groups regarding the inclusiveness of the process. Alassane Ouattara's victory for a fourth presidential term reflects significant shifts in the country's political landscape, shifts that have been linked to the 2010 elections.

The 2010 elections triggered an unprecedented crisis in the country, leaving about 3,000 dead, after his then rival, Laurent Gbagbo, refused to concede defeat, in developments that ended with Gbagbo being handed over to the International Criminal Court in 2011, and being charged with war crimes.

The Independent Electoral Commission, set up in October 2001, has overseen all Ivorian elections since the end of military rule and has been at the heart of almost every major electoral dispute, including the 2010 presidential election whose contested results led to months of deadly violence.

It is worth noting that opposition parties have long accused the committee of lacking independence, saying its members are excessively biased towards the ruling coalition, accusations that authorities have previously rejected.

In 2019, the International Criminal Court acquitted Gbagbo, leading to his return to Ivory Coast and sparking speculation about the role the divisive leader might play in the country.

In addition, Ivory Coast is experiencing cautious stability compared to the rest of West Africa, which is experiencing bloody attacks by armed groups such as the Al-Qaeda-linked group, or other groups.